Library receives grant to replace microfilm reader

Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL) received a technology grant of $7,076 Thursday that will be used to replace an outdated microfilm reader with a digital one.

The grant is from Secretary of State Jason Kander.

"With this grant, Missouri River Regional Library can provide even more resources and services to the public," Kander said. "The stronger our local libraries are, the better they will be able to serve their communities and Missouri as a whole."

MRRL's current microfilm reader is more than 10 years old.

"These (digital ones) are nice because if we wanted to, we could convert some of our microfilm to the digital version if we wanted to make it searchable," said Helen Rigdon director of MRRL.

For the 2014 fiscal year, Missouri State Library, a division of Kander's office, has approved 34 grant applications, totaling $271,266 for libraries throughout Missouri.

The technology grants are funded by the Library Services and Technology Act through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Institute is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.